To link to the entire object, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed the entire object, paste this HTML in websiteTo link to this page, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed this page, paste this HTML in website

the central aedicula of the Oberlin fragment (Pis. I, IV, a). If the
missing figure of the central aedicula was Diomedes, who might
well have worn the pileus as is suggested by the break,4" then
the triangular wedge could have represented the stolen Palladion held aloft on the left arm as on the Megiste sarcophagus.
The Megiste sarcophagus, although an example of a group of
sarcophagi with an undivided figured frieze, is of Lydian technique and is closely affiliated with the Claudia sarcophagus
and other members of the three aedicula type.41 The third
Lydian sarcophagus possibly figuring Odysseus is a fragment in
Vienna which throws no new light on the problem of interpretation.42
The above interpretation is admittedly finely spun. In any
case, judging by the tendency of the sculptors of the Asiatic
sarcophagi to duplicate earlier myths and types,43 there is a
strong possibility that the subject of the lateral face of the
Lydian sarcophagus in Oberlin represented the Theft of the
Palladion by Odysseus and Diomedes. I shall not even hazard
a guess as to the occupant of the flanking figure in the right-
hand intercolumniation. In any case Oberlin is fortunate in
possessing one of the two Asiatic sarcophagi in this country,
and the only representative of the Lydian group.44
Edward Capps, Jr.
"Although only one of the two heroes usually wears the pileus in
the representation of the Theft of the Palladion there appears to be
some difference of opinion as to which of the two is so clad. For
instance Reinach (Repertoire de reliefs, II, 337, 2) appears to identify
the figute catrying the Palladion in the Megiste sarcophagus as Odysseus. Other examples of the theme mentioned by Reinach are: the
well-known relief of the Palazza Spada, Rome (Reinach, op. cit., Ill,
324, 1; Schreiber, Die hellenistischen Reliefbilder, Leipzig, 1894, pi.
7); an Oenochoe from Berthouville (Reinach, I, 69, 1); another
oenochoe in the same collection (ibid., 172); and a terracotta in Berlin (ibid., II, 1).
"Morey, op. cit., p. 44.
''Ibid., p. 57, fig. 100. Morey suggests the figure with the pileus,
often taken as a Dioscurus, represents Odysseus. The Dioscufi often
wear the pileus in Western imitations of Asiatic sarcophagi but not in
the original series.
'Morey, Sardis, V, in particular chapters VI and VIII.
"The only other example known to me is the "Sidamara" fragment
in the Metropolitan Museum, N. Y. (Morey, op. cit., p. 46, fig. 81).
69

the central aedicula of the Oberlin fragment (Pis. I, IV, a). If the
missing figure of the central aedicula was Diomedes, who might
well have worn the pileus as is suggested by the break,4" then
the triangular wedge could have represented the stolen Palladion held aloft on the left arm as on the Megiste sarcophagus.
The Megiste sarcophagus, although an example of a group of
sarcophagi with an undivided figured frieze, is of Lydian technique and is closely affiliated with the Claudia sarcophagus
and other members of the three aedicula type.41 The third
Lydian sarcophagus possibly figuring Odysseus is a fragment in
Vienna which throws no new light on the problem of interpretation.42
The above interpretation is admittedly finely spun. In any
case, judging by the tendency of the sculptors of the Asiatic
sarcophagi to duplicate earlier myths and types,43 there is a
strong possibility that the subject of the lateral face of the
Lydian sarcophagus in Oberlin represented the Theft of the
Palladion by Odysseus and Diomedes. I shall not even hazard
a guess as to the occupant of the flanking figure in the right-
hand intercolumniation. In any case Oberlin is fortunate in
possessing one of the two Asiatic sarcophagi in this country,
and the only representative of the Lydian group.44
Edward Capps, Jr.
"Although only one of the two heroes usually wears the pileus in
the representation of the Theft of the Palladion there appears to be
some difference of opinion as to which of the two is so clad. For
instance Reinach (Repertoire de reliefs, II, 337, 2) appears to identify
the figute catrying the Palladion in the Megiste sarcophagus as Odysseus. Other examples of the theme mentioned by Reinach are: the
well-known relief of the Palazza Spada, Rome (Reinach, op. cit., Ill,
324, 1; Schreiber, Die hellenistischen Reliefbilder, Leipzig, 1894, pi.
7); an Oenochoe from Berthouville (Reinach, I, 69, 1); another
oenochoe in the same collection (ibid., 172); and a terracotta in Berlin (ibid., II, 1).
"Morey, op. cit., p. 44.
''Ibid., p. 57, fig. 100. Morey suggests the figure with the pileus,
often taken as a Dioscurus, represents Odysseus. The Dioscufi often
wear the pileus in Western imitations of Asiatic sarcophagi but not in
the original series.
'Morey, Sardis, V, in particular chapters VI and VIII.
"The only other example known to me is the "Sidamara" fragment
in the Metropolitan Museum, N. Y. (Morey, op. cit., p. 46, fig. 81).
69

Identifier

AMAM_Bulletin_002_003_0021.tif

Rights

For research and educational use only. For all other uses please contact Allen Memorial Art Museum